gaming machines

Gaming Machines ...Gaming Machines ...

More Than Entertainment?More Than Entertainment?An Update on Machine Modifications as a An Update on Machine Modifications as a

Responsible Gaming (RG) StrategyResponsible Gaming (RG) Strategy

Connie Jones, Director of Responsible GamingConnie Jones, Director of Responsible GamingInternational Game Technology (IGT)International Game Technology (IGT)

77thth European Conference on European Conference on Gambling Studies and Policy Issues Gambling Studies and Policy Issues

11--4 July 20084 July 2008Hotel Hotel PerlaPerla Nova Nova GoricaGorica, Slovenia, Slovenia

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Background: Who Is International Background: Who Is International Game Technology (IGT)?Game Technology (IGT)?

Publicly traded company founded in 1975.Publicly traded company founded in 1975.A Nevada based company.A Nevada based company.A global company specializing in the design, A global company specializing in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and sales development, manufacturing, distribution and sales of computerized gaming machines and systems of computerized gaming machines and systems products.products.Largest slot machine manufacturer in the world.Largest slot machine manufacturer in the world.Employs 6,000 people worldwide.Employs 6,000 people worldwide.

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Game Design Game Design Entertainment Versus Safety?Entertainment Versus Safety?

Is there a Is there a ““safesafe”” gaming machine?gaming machine?

Who are the game designers?Who are the game designers?

Marketing aspects.Marketing aspects.

ItIt’’s the customers the customer’’s call. s call.

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What Makes A Game Fun?What Makes A Game Fun?

GraphicsGraphics

SoundSound

MathMath

EnvironmentEnvironment

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Beliefs About What Makes A Game Beliefs About What Makes A Game Risky:Risky:

Speed of playSpeed of play

Large bets/prizesLarge bets/prizes

Sound aspectsSound aspects

Isolated environmentIsolated environment

Large note bill acceptorsLarge note bill acceptors

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Can A Gaming Machine Can A Gaming Machine Offer Protections?Offer Protections?

Slow speed of playSlow speed of playLimits on bets and prizesLimits on bets and prizesRemoval/restrictions on note acceptorsRemoval/restrictions on note acceptorsRemoval of visual/sound stimuliRemoval of visual/sound stimuliCredits show in cash amountsCredits show in cash amountsDigital clock on screenDigital clock on screenPop up warningsPop up warningsMandatory cash out after a preMandatory cash out after a pre--determined period determined period of playof playResponsible gaming (RG) information screensResponsible gaming (RG) information screens

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IGT Policy On IGT Policy On RG Machine Modification :RG Machine Modification :

As a technology provider for the gaming As a technology provider for the gaming industry IGT does not endorse or discourage industry IGT does not endorse or discourage the use of RG machine modifications. The the use of RG machine modifications. The company incorporates these features only at company incorporates these features only at the request of their customers.the request of their customers.

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The main menu displays the responsible gaming banner message and the “Responsible Gaming Information” button.

The main menu displays the responsible gaming banner message and the “Responsible Gaming Information” button.

MLC Responsible Gaming Software MLC Responsible Gaming Software FeaturesFeatures

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The first player time session window displays the disclaimer text and the “HELP” button.The first player time session window displays the disclaimer text and the “HELP” button.


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The 15 minute warning player time session window. The 15 minute warning player time session window.


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The final player time session cash out window displays the disclaimer text and the “HELP” button.The final player time session cash out window displays the disclaimer text and the “HELP” button.


12Clock display showing “game time remaining”.Clock display showing “game time remaining”.


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Touching the “Responsible Gaming Information” button on the main menu or the “HELP” button in the disclaimer window displays the responsible gaming information help screens- Page 1:

Touching the “Responsible Gaming Information” button on the main menu or the “HELP” button in the disclaimer window displays the responsible gaming information help screens- Page 1:


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Responsible gaming information help screen, Page 2: Responsible gaming information help screen, Page 2:


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17Responsible gaming information help screen, Page 5: Responsible gaming information help screen, Page 5:


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Responsible gaming information help screen, Page 6:

Responsible gaming information help screen, Page 6:


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Printing of the Responsible Printing of the Responsible Gaming Banner MessageGaming Banner Message

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Smart Cards: The Next Phase Smart Cards: The Next Phase Basic Features:Basic Features:

Anonymous enrollmentAnonymous enrollment

Self exclusion on GM by playerSelf exclusion on GM by player

Self limitation on time and moneySelf limitation on time and money

Account informationAccount information

Responsible Gaming InformationResponsible Gaming Information

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Potential Downside Of RG Machine Potential Downside Of RG Machine Modifications Modifications

Impact on nonImpact on non--problem playersproblem players

Privacy issuesPrivacy issues

Enforcement of self exclusion optionEnforcement of self exclusion option

Card sharing in smart card environmentCard sharing in smart card environment

Triggers Triggers -- "chasing losses""chasing losses"

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““Gambling addiction doesnGambling addiction doesn’’t t come in machines any more than come in machines any more than alcoholism comes in bottles. It alcoholism comes in bottles. It

comes in people.comes in people.””

Reese Middleton, Executive Director, Reese Middleton, Executive Director, Louisiana Association on Compulsive Louisiana Association on Compulsive

GamblingGambling

gaming machines

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